At one of our family health centers, volunteer handler Bill and his therapy dog, Thor, need no introduction. Caregivers, patients and visitors know Thursdays as “THORsdays.”
Bill and 3-year-old Thor have been providing comfort, stress release and healing to adults and children at several of our locations since October 2022. But when Bill and Thor stop by the infusion areas, Bill has a more personal connection. Back in 2014, doctors diagnosed him with prostate cancer. He underwent radiation therapy and surgery. Bill’s care team continues to monitor him, but he currently shows no evidence of cancer.
Inspired by his care, the Air Force and Navy veteran started exploring therapy work after he retired in 2018. Several years after, a serendipitous encounter not far from Bill’s church, ultimately led him to Thor. Bill says Thor was the only puppy in the litter whose black and tan fur came together on the top of his head to form an almost perfect heart.
Thor went through an 18-week certification process to be a therapy dog and passed with flying colors. Bill and Thor are one of more than 200 volunteers through our Caring Canine volunteer program. They now visit four of our locations throughout Northeast Ohio.
Ask Bill about some of his and Thor’s hospital encounters and you’ll see a warm smile appear on his face. He recalls a time a pediatric patient was crying before having to receive a shot. Immediately when Thor entered the room, she stopped crying. His presence calmed her so caregivers could administer the medication. Bill and Thor have also run into patients who unknowingly served alongside Bill on the same military ships.
During his routes, you’ll see Thor giving handshakes and doing tricks for caregivers who equally appreciate the visits and say Bill and Thor are one-of-a-kind.
Before the duo leaves behind a day’s worth of impactful work, they reflect in the car for a few minutes before driving home. Bill says, “Every visit is a new experience. I had no idea how many lives we would touch. I wouldn’t trade what we do for anything.”
100% For The Cure
